How to identify a first printing
- Copyright page reads 'First published [year] by David Philip Publishers (Pty) Ltd' (Claremont / Cape Town); the first printing has no reprint or later-impression line.
- British-style convention — no number line; rely on the 'First published' year together with the absence of an impression/reprint notice.
- An Africasouth Paperbacks series line dates the paperback state; a New Africa Books imprint line (post-2000) indicates the later corporate era, not a David Philip-era first.
Notable points & cautions
- Founded 1971 by David and Marie Philip during apartheid-era censorship; a leading independent anti-apartheid house that published Gordimer, Soyinka, and anti-apartheid scholarship.
- After the Philips' 1999 retirement it was bought by New African Investments Ltd and merged into New Africa Books in the early 2000s — the imprint name dates the era and changes attribution.
- Oppositional / anti-censorship press; some titles were banned, making certain firsts scarce.
Imprints
First editions also appear under: David Philip, Africasouth Paperbacks, New Africa Books (successor). Each generally follows the house convention above.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if my David Philip Publishers book is a first edition?
Check the copyright page. Copyright page reads 'First published [year] by David Philip Publishers (Pty) Ltd' (Claremont / Cape Town); the first printing has no reprint or later-impression line. British-style convention — no number line; rely on the 'First published' year together with the absence of an impression/reprint notice.
Does David Philip Publishers use a number line?
British-style convention — no number line; rely on the 'First published' year together with the absence of an impression/reprint notice.
Is a book-club edition a David Philip Publishers first edition?
No. Book-club editions reprint the text but are not the true first edition. Founded 1971 by David and Marie Philip during apartheid-era censorship; a leading independent anti-apartheid house that published Gordimer, Soyinka, and anti-apartheid scholarship.
What era does this cover?
This covers David Philip Publishers (1971-c.2000 (succeeded by New Africa Books)). Conventions changed over time, so confirm the era of your copy.